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Launching the 2024 Island Season

North Haven Community School, Lisbon Public Schools, Oceanside High School, Eaglebrook School, Cambridge School of Weston and Gould Academy kick off our spring island programming season.

Educators hosted a Zoom Q+A for prospective students and families

Youth Program Zoom Q+A

Limited space remains

Enroll Today!

Youth Programs
Adult Programs

The Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative continues to expand, enabling Hurricane Island to work with more Maine students with fully-funded programming.


Maine DOE has launched a new Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative portal to help families easily access programs at no cost, including free transportation, for students who face economic or other barriers to outdoor learning experiences.

Our Impact: In-State to International

Maine's Lisbon Middle School students and international United People Global Sustainability Leaders shared milestone first experiences in May:

  • First time away from home
  • First time on a boat
  • First time on an island
  • First time seeing so many stars
  • First time in a sleeping bag...

Students and Scientists Working

Together Year-round

This April Hurricane Island educators brought students from Islesboro Central School and Vinalhaven School to work with Hurricane Island scientists and partners from the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries.


This is part of a collaborative NOAA-funded project to learn more about sea scallops in the Gulf of Maine.

Portland Press Herald
WABI TV

Our Work with The Nature Conservancy

With funding from The Nature Conservancy as part of their Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (TNC SOAR) initiative, Hurricane Island is partnering with Erin Adams at Ocean Farm Supply to try and figure out how to best reduce biofouling on aquaculture gear.


Biofouling, or biological fouling, is a process by which organisms such as barnacles, microorganisms, and tunicates settle on underwater surfaces, ultimately contributing to their degradation.


Pictured in this video by Phoebe Jekielek are “sock” nets, which are made out of beech wood pulp and are designed to protect aquaculture gear and cultivated species (like oysters and scallops) from degradation by biofouling organisms. We hope this research will benefit aquaculture farmers experiencing gear degradation due to biofouling.

Coming Soon: Data Monitoring Buoys

By using high-resolution surveys and real-time data buoys, the project will provide valuable insights into ecological shifts in Pen Bay. Partnering with organizations like NeCSA and NeRACOOS, the project seeks to empower communities and improve decision-making in Maine's fishing industry.


We collected a ton of community input on potential buoy locations at the Fisherman's Forum, which can be viewed in this map!


Have a location in mind?

Let Us Know

"This initiative highlights the importance of long-term monitoring for understanding marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine and emphasizes the critical role of community engagement in sustaining conservation efforts."

- Science & Research Director Dr. Anya Hopple

Coastal Resilience Hits Home

Hurricane Island Field Research Station, designed to meet the new FEMA storm surge projections, served as an example of building for climate resilience during the winter storms of 2024.


The rest of the island was not unscathed.

News Center Maine Video
Penobscot Bay Pilot Article

Celebrating Our Newest Directors

Anya Hopple

Science & Research Director


Dr. Anya Hopple will lead the research team to continue the community-driven collaborative research at Hurricane Island.

Will Galloway

Education & Programs Director


Will Galloway brings a wealth of experience in directing place-based education and leadership initiatives.

New Year Round Staff

Claire Gabel

Educator

Nicholas Keeney

Marine Data Technician

Climate Education Professional Development

"Leadership is the capacity to demonstrate fluid expertise. Which means knowing when to lead and knowing when to join."


Hurricane Island's Education team trained teachers from North Haven and Vinalhaven over a long weekend on the campus of Bigelow Labs utilizing a Climate Education Professional Development Grant funded by the Maine Department of Education.

Read More

Connecting With Community

  • We connected with the fishing community on Vinalhaven in the final planning conversation for the Field Research Station January 2024
  • Hurricane Island Researchers past and present presented at the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo (NACE) January 2024 Providence, RI
  • Hurricane Island Speaker Series: Phoebe Jekielek presented on her ongoing scallop research at Pascal Hall - Recording February 2024 Rockport, ME
  • Other 2024 outreach to date includes The Fisherman's Forum, Portland HS Stem Expo, the Pen Bay Business Expo, the Maine Science Teacher's Assoc. Conference, and the Maine Environmental Education Assoc. Conference

Support from First National Bank

“Our outdoor educational experience has been transformational – creating engaged and informed students who appreciate far more the beauty of our home state and the unique opportunities that our outdoor landscape offers for learning. With what our state has to offer, I believe every student should have the opportunity to access learning outside of the four walls of their classroom.”


Oceanside High School Educator - Jennifer Cross

Summer Events: Join Us!

SATURDAY, JUNE 22ND 1:30pm-6:30pm

On Hurricane Island

Convergence: Art Meets Science

Science & Art Symposium Panel Discussion featuring scientist Dr. Bob Steneck and marine artist Krisanne Baker followed by a reception at the new Field Research Station.

Tickets

SATURDAY, AUG 10TH 3pm-9pm

On Hurricane Island

Farm to Table Dinner

Limited seating is available for this special island experience and 5 course meal.

Tickets

WEDNESDAY, AUG 14TH - 5pm

On North Haven, Waterman's Community Center

Panel on Climate & Education Curriculum

Panel Discussion on Climate Change Curriculum with teachers and Students, followed by a reception.

Free of Charge

SATURDAY, SEPT 28TH - 5pm

On Mainland, Pascal Hall, Rockport ME

Convergence: Art Meets Science

Join Carl Little and participating artists from his book The Art of Penobscot Bay for a Hurricane Island-inspired art auction featuring original art for sale, a discussion by Carl and artists, an open bar with wine and beer and hors d'oeuvres. 

Tickets

Thank You for Your Support

2023 Annual Report
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